HARRISBURG, Pa., May 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today thanked Rep. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) for introducing the legislation necessary to use the proceeds from the sale of the state liquor system for the Passport for Learning grant program.

"Selling liquor is not a core function of government; education is," Corbett said. "I want to thank Representative Aument, and the co-sponsors of the bill, for understanding the importance this has for our schools and for our future, and I thank him for standing up for our students."

"Thanks to this legislation, our plan gives consumers what they want by increasing choice and convenience, and helps to secure our future by adding $1 billion in funding toward the education of our children, without raising any taxes," Corbett said.

This legislation proposes to use the proceeds from the sale of the state's liquor system to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant, to be divided among Pennsylvania's school districts over four years.

The Passport for Learning will offer funds in four, student-focused, initiatives: school safety, individualized learning programs, "Ready by 3," which ensures that students are performing at grade level by third grade, and enhancing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs.